The Firefighter and the Girl from the Coffee Shop

By Terry Towers

When not busy serving customers, us women at the coffee shop have a pastime that we find particularly stimulating; watching and flirting with the firefighters at the station across the street. I've had my eye on one in particular, Evan London. But to my frustration, I seem to be effectively friend-zoned - until the night my apartment building goes up in flames! Upon rescuing me and realizing I have nowhere to stay, he offers for me to room with him until I get back on my feet. Despite the tragedy, I realize this could very well be the opportunity I need for him to see me as more than just a friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Soft & Hard Publishing
• Release date: Mar 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224212712

Book preview

Table of Contents

The Firefighter and the Girl from the Coffee Shop

When not busy serving customers, us women at the coffee shop have a pastime that we find particularly stimulating; watching and flirting with the firefighters at the station across the street. I've had my eye on one in particular, Evan London. But to my frustration, I seem to be effectively friend-zoned - until the night my apartment building goes up in flames! Upon rescuing me and realizing I have nowhere to stay, he offers for me to room with him until I get back on my feet. Despite the tragedy, I realize this could very well be the opportunity I need for him to see me as more than just a friend.

Excerpt from:

The CEO and the Girl from the Coffee Shop

Beth Wilmington, the cute blonde hostess from the coffee shop is unlike the women CEO Gabriel Reynolds usually 'dates'. There is something about her that compels him to keep going back there, despite the vile tasting coffee they serve. Desperate to know more about her, he jumps at the opportunity to give her a job when it presents itself.

Down on her luck, Beth sees Gabriel's job offer as a live-in chef and housekeeper as a chance to finally get out of debt, but her intense attraction to him scares her. He's sin in a devilishly sexy wrapper and only trouble can come from being close to him.

Can she live with the most eligible bachelor on the East Coast and not fall foolishly head-over-heels for him? Can she risk getting hurt? And will she want Gabriel when he opens up and shares his deep, dark urges and desires?

Contact Information & Backlist

The Firefighter

And The Girl From

The Coffee Shop

By

Terry Towers

The Firefighter and the Girl from the Coffee Shop

Copyright: May 2012

Cover By:

Erin Dameron-Hill Graphics

All rights reserved. With the exception of brief quotes used for critical reviews and articles no part of this book may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the author Terry Towers. Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via internet or other means, electronic or print without the authors permission. Criminal copyright infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov.ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

To hear about Terry's new releases and upcoming specials and promotions, please sign up for her weekly newsletter.

Newsletter Sign-up

Chapter 1

ALYSSA

You only have a week left Alyssa, then he's fair game.

With annoyance welling up within me, I narrowed my dark eyes and glared over my shoulder at my co-worker, Samantha. Samantha’s attention was once more focused on the task at hand; admiring one of the most magnificent things I'd ever seen through the side pane-glass window of the coffee shop, while pretending to wipe down the tables in the dining room. Evan Saunders.

Evan was the newest firefighter employed at the station across the street. And like me, he usually worked the overnight shift. The girls at the coffee shop had a rule, you must claim a man you're interested in. This would make him off limits to the other girls at the shop and you were given a month to seal the deal with him otherwise he came up for grabs again.

I’d claimed Evan from the second I’d laid eyes on him, but there seemed to be a slight problem... Over the past few weeks - nearing a month – we’d seemed to have established a good, solid friendship.

I’d been effectively friend-zoned. He’d even called me pal the other night. Pal... Fuck my life.

Ta ta ladies, Samantha purred as she exited the coffee shop, after finishing her eight-hour shift, leaving me and her co-worker Jenny to work the overnight shift.

As Samantha strutted across the parking lot to her vehicle, Jenny - a no-nonsense woman in her mid-fifties - came up behind me to stand at my side. While watching Evan she pretended to assist with cleaning the dining room. You realize as soon as the week is up, she'll be on him faster than you can blink.

I groaned. Yeah, I knew all too well that Samantha would literally pounce on him the minute my week was up. Samantha was the equivalent of a piranha when it came to men. She got whomever she wanted and devoured them fast, moving on to the next one. And sweet, sexy-as-sin Evan was very succulent prey.

Do you want me to talk to him for you? All I had to do was give Jade a little push and look how it turned out for her.

Yes, I know, she's engaged now. I sighed. I was happy for Jade, she was a sweet girl. In a few weeks, Jade would be tying the knot with Officer Hottie, as he was known around the coffee house, an absolute dream of a man. I turned and wagged her finger at Jenny. I don't want you interfering. I'm twenty-eight for heaven's sakes, I think I can wrangle up my own date. We’re not in high school.

A grin touched Jenny's lips and she raised a skeptical brow at me. "All I know is that my ninety-year-old grandmother can snag a man in less time than it has taken you to build up enough courage to ask him. This isn't the fifties anymore Alyssa. Women can make the first move now."

Crossing my arms over my chest, I cocked my head and eyed my co-worker. First of all, I've met your grandmother and that woman is spry for her age. And secondly, I've given the signals.

Signals?

Yeah. I reached out and touched Jenny's arm lightly. Like gently touching his arm or shoulder, you know, establishing physical contact.

Uh-huh.

Asking leading questions dropping subtle hints. He'd just not interested, I guess.  I gave a long sigh before admitting my biggest fear to Jane. I think I've been shoved into the friend zone.

And that hurt.

I’d been putting more effort than I normally would to snag a man and it was getting me nowhere.

Jenny gasped, feigning a look of horror. Oh God, we definitely don’t want that. Planting a fist on her hip Jenny gave me a stern look and pointed a long slender finger over at Evan. You see that man over there.

I glanced over and my eyes took in the sight of him: tall, large, powerful build, short cut dark brown hair, and deep green eyes. And his voice... he had a deep, powerful voice that made me melt inside the moment he opened his mouth. Yeah, I saw him, most evenings I spent a good chunk of time watching him from afar like some love-struck teenager.

Yeah, I see him... And.

Wagging her finger in his direction Jenny made a little tisking sound and shook her head. "That man does not put women in the 'friend zone,' as you young people like to call it. Either you're giving off some messed up signals that's making him unsure about you and what you want from him, or he's already involved with someone..."

Nah, I shook my head, He's not with someone already. I already know that much. It was one of the first things I learned about him.

Shrugging, Jenny picked up the dishrag from the table she'd just finished wiping down and turned to walk back to the kitchen. In that case you're doing something wrong. He's interested. He wouldn't be coming over here to chat with you several times a night just for the fun of it. He’s got an interest, you’re just not giving off the right signals. Or he’s gay.

He’s most definitely not gay.

Then you need to make your move Alyssa, time’s ticking. Tick -tock, tick- tock. Jenny laughed as she walked away not bothering to look back.

I sighed, as I contemplated what Jenny had told me. Maybe I wasn’t being clear enough? Not all men were good at picking up signals. Maybe he was just one of those guys and didn’t want to ruin a friendship if he was wrong.

Or I could make a move, humiliate myself horribly, and never be able to look him in the eye again.

A ding sounded in the earpiece of my drive-thru headset signalling a customer at the speaker. I rushed to the drive-thru section, my usual station for the majority of the night, as I pressed the TALK button on the control box, hooked it to my belt and asked to take their order.

ALYSSA

Visit number one of the night coming up, Jenny announced over the headset as I came out of the walk-in freezer with an armful of meats to prep the sandwich bar with. I glanced over my shoulder at the clock in the kitchen as I passed by it and noticed it was slightly early for Evan to be showing up. It wasn't even two hours into my shift yet. A shiver of anticipation rushed through me as I quickened my pace to deposit the food in the cooler up front so I could meet him outside for my first break.

Do you mind if-

Jenny